The word "ssthisto" in the lower case is the Anglicised rendition of the local sentients' name for the species and translates loosely to "Death-Walking"; Ssthisto in the upper case is "The Walkingdeath" - the only one extant in this where and when. Semisentient, approximately the size and weight of a draft horse, and omnivorous, with iridescent microscaled hide and phosphorescent patterning that shows under certain circumstances.

The phosphorescent markings of a kirk brighten in response to a rise in blood pressure and temperature, roughly equating to level of excitement or stress.

Meanwhile, the same bacteria are also responsible for the glow of a walkingdeath's eyes, and are used to block out external light much like a pupil. The equivalent of pupillary dilation results in the yellowish eye bacteria being pushed behind the eye, leaving the deep blue-black base colour visible; contraction of the muscles forces the bacteria to the front. This can often also correspond to a level of stress - the base, relaxed state is the grass-green tone with moderate glow.

She is not true-female, rather a sterile "worker" of sorts, the third gender of her species. To all appearances she is roughly female overall, though lighter of build and with longer horns and crests.